Heavy Action Is at Louisville

The largest field at Santa Anita today numbers nine. The fourth, sixth and eighth races each attracted that number. The other five races lured six, seven or eight participants.

So, if you are looking for overflow fields, Churchill Downs is the place to turn this afternoon.

Wagering on the first two races from the Louisville track won’t be offered at Santa Anita, but the final seven races will be taken and the smallest field numbers eight--the third and seventh races.

In the other five, 67 horses were entered, an average of more than 13 per race.

This means there will be solid wagering opportunities and all of the races with overflow fields appear wide-open.

One of the more intriguing things about this particular meet at Churchill Downs, which kicked off Sunday, is the presence of jockey Jorge Chavez.

A racing fixture in Florida and New York, Chavez is riding regularly in Kentucky for the first time and it will be interesting to see if he can give perennial leading rider Pat Day a run for his money in the jockey standings.

Chavez is listed on six horses today--Nowinefornana in the first, Bargain Deer in the fourth, Knave in the fifth, My Kind Of Town in the sixth, Distinct in the seventh and Maestro’s Debut in the ninth.

Race of the day: The seventh at Santa Anita is an optional claimer for fillies and mares at 10 furlongs on the turf. Contenders include Jalisco, a troubled sixth in her U.S. debut; the improving Mpenzi, Dynamistic and Angel Song, who has won at the distance.

Who’s hot: Armando Lage. The trainer has been on a roll at Bay Meadows. He began the week second in the standings to perennial leader Jerry Hollendorfer but is winning at a higher percentage (24 to 22) than Hollendorfer. Lahy will send out Discreet Son in the fourth, Up Mim’s Aly in the seventh and Biscay Bay in the eighth today at the San Mateo track.

Who’s not: Osman Cedeno, Jennifer Whitaker and Javier Matias. The three jockeys are a combined two for 81 at Bay Meadows.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Bastion and Taylorman in the third, singling Officiate in the fourth and using Ohforcraftsakes, Cugar, Bluebell Lassie, Belle Masera and Watchoutfor Lion’s in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/75. Money: previous day/meet total: $7.40/$435.60. Total money bet: $474.